Photo Contest Rules
All images must be in .jpg format and have been
taken during the Great Backyard Bird Count, though photos may be
submitted until March 1. Please submit images in as high a
resolution as possible.
You must agree to the terms of use. In
the “Note” section, please tell us any interesting information about
where/how you took the image (optional).
You will be asked for your name, address, phone, and email.
Three judges each from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National
Audubon Society will review all the entries. Winners in each category
will be notified by email and prizes awarded. All winners and finalists
will be posted on the GBBC web site.
Photos are evaluated based on both technical skill and artistic
ability. Winning photos are those that show the photographer’s skill in
composing an image and using a camera. Some of the factors the judges
consider when choosing photos include use of
http://web1.audubon.org/imagePublic/gbbc_form.php, depth of field,
sharpness of focus, color balance, composition, framing, camera angle,
originality, choice of subject matter, and the amount of patience (or
luck!) required to get a shot.
Images will be judged in six categories:
Overall
Bird in its habitat
Behavior
Group shot (2 or more birds)
Composition
People enjoying birds
When taking photos, use your imagination! Bird watchers could be photographed inside or outside, in the city, suburbs, or country. They might be at a nature center or retirement home, in unusual places, or photographed from unusual vantage points. Young children, seniors,or scout groups could be photographed marking tally sheets, talking to each other, looking up birds in a field guide, entering data on-line, filling feeders, making bird treats, mugging for the camera, or just having fun!
